OKC Thunder signs Nazr Mohammed to contract extension

The veteran center has agreed to a one-year extension with the Thunder that will keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent on Friday.

Oklahoma City's Nazr Mohammed (8) defends Los Angeles Clippers' Brian Cook (3) during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles at the Oklahoma City Arena, Wednesday, April 6, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman BRYAN TERRY

Terms of the deal were not immediately known. But according to a report by Yahoo! Sports, the contract is for $3.75 million.

It makes Mohammed, who backed up starter Kendrick Perkins last year, a relatively inexpensive but reliable option off the bench. Mohammed made $6,883,800 last season, and the reported value of his new deal is slightly more than $2 million above the minimum salary for a player with 10-plus years of service.

Both Mohammed, a 13-year veteran, and Thunder management had expressed their desire to get a new deal done. Thunder coaches and front office members were impressed with Mohammed's performance, professionalism and stabilizing veteran presence on a team that was one of the youngest in the league last season. And Mohammed, who was acquired in a deadline-day trade with Charlotte that sent D.J. White and Morris Peterson to the Bobcats, quickly grew attached to the Thunder organization and its group of young talent.

Mohammed couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.

But on May 30, five days after the Thunder's season ended, Mohammed posted his reasons for wanting to remain in Oklahoma City to his Twitter account.
“In OKC I have (a) chance 2 compete 4 a Championship, opportunity 2 share what I know (with) a young team, chance 2 learn how 2 run a top notch organization & unbelievable fans...”